|
3 Sept. Dom. Entry Bk., v. 25, p. 382. |
282. Sir Stanier Porten to the Attorney-General. |
|
Sending certain papers relative to Gibraltar.—St. James's. |
4 Sept. Dom. Entry Bk., v. 25, p. 383. |
283. Earl of Rochford to John Russell, Esq., Justice of
the Peace at Greenwich. |
|
Cannot but approve the zeal he has shown in the discharge
of his duty. Asks for a copy of Willm. Lane's depositions.—St. James's. |
10 Sept. Dom. Entry Bk., v. 24, pp. 355–6. |
284. Disquiet among the Seamen. |
|
W. Eden to Mr. Sherwood.—Has transmitted a copy of his
letter to Mr. Stephens to be laid before the Lords of the Admiralty.
Hopes the magistrates will be able to preserve the peace, and
that the alarm which they have had will not be repeated. Asks
for constant information if there should be any riotous disposition
among the seamen.—St. James's. |
|
The letter to Mr. Stephens above referred to. |
11 Sept. Dom. Geo. III., v. 13. No. 31 a to e. Let. Bk., Sec.'s, 1771–5, p. 156. |
285. Earl of Suffolk to the Earl of Dartmouth. |
|
Encloses an extract of a letter from Sir Jos. Yorke of the 31st
past, and of another of the 3rd inst., together with the copy of
the resolutions of the States General referred to therein. Also a
copy of the letter written to Sir Joseph Yorke by the post of
last night. These papers will acquaint him with the determination of their High Mightinesses to send over Commissaries to
settle the differences between H.M.'s subjects and the servants
of the Dutch West India Company on the coast of Africa, as
well as the instructions transmitted to Sir Joseph on the contents
of his last letter.—St. James's. |
|
The enclosures, the resolutions being in French. The Commissaries named for the Dutch were M. Jean Græfland Pietersz,
director of the Dutch West India Company in the chamber of
Amsterdam, and M. Paul Rebaut, director of the chamber of
Zealand. To prevent delay Sir Joseph told Mr. Blyswick, the
pensionary, that he was ready to declare in general terms that we
insisted upon the execution of the ancient conventions, and a
free communication between our forts. The possession, of Cape
Apollonia was one of the points (c) on which, it was stated, the
Dutch Commissaries would be instructed to negociate. The
agreement (e) on which Great Britain relied was first made on
11th July 1708, and ratified with some additions on 16th May
1716, and again copied, enlarged, and ratified, 28th Jan. 1728; by
all which instruments it was specified and agreed, "that the two
Companies shall not interfere with each other in conducting
their respective trade, but that all Portuguese vessels shall
have full liberty to carry tobacco to the forts and factories of
either." And though it might be true that the Dutch had at
the same time a subsisting treaty with the Portuguese for the
monopoly of tobacco, it could not be expected that His Majesty
would permit them to enforce it in opposition to another which
they had made with his subjects. It was contrary to every
principle of public faith to permit A. to annul his compact with
B. by alleging that he had made an incompatible engagement
with C. 11 pp. or parts. |
11 Sept. Dom. Entry Bk., v. 25, p. 385. |
286. Earl of Rochford to the Commissioners of Customs. |
|
As to a box sent on board a ship bound for Villa Franca,
directed to Sir Wm. Lynch, H.M.'s Envoy Extraordinary at
Turin, which contains nothing but the accoutrements for man
and horse of one of H.M.'s light dragoons which the King has
ordered to be sent as a present from His Majesty to the King
of Sardinia.—St. James's. |
13 Sept. Ireland, v. 446, No. 73. Entry Bk., 1770–5, p. 208. |
287. The Same to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. |
|
Relative to the memorial of Lord John Murray, Colonel of the
Royal Highland Regiment of Foot. His Majesty has not given
any commands thereupon.—St. James's. A draft. ¾p. |
16 Sept. Dom. Geo. III., v. 12, No. 23 a, b. Let. Bk., Sec.'s, 1771–5, p. 160. |
288. Lord Viscount Townshend to Lord [Dartmouth]. |
|
In answer to letter of 23rd of last month relative to the
batteries at Dominica. Encloses Capt. Bruce, the Chief Engineer's,
report, and is of opinion that this is the best mode of defence
next to some solid and permanent work which will contain a
garrison and oblige an enemy to form a regular and expensive
attack.—Rainham. |
|
The enclosure. 5 pp. |
16 Sept. Dom. Geo. III., v. 12, No. 46. Let. Bk., Sec.'s, 1771–5, p. 157. |
289. Lords of the Admiralty to the Earl of Dartmouth. |
|
Acquainting him with the information received from Sir
George Rodney, that the thirteen North American vessels which
were detained by the French at Cape Nichola Mole were, after
a few days' detention, suffered to depart.—Admiralty Office. 1 p. |
17 Sept. Admiralty, v. 163, No. 71 a, b. |
290. Earl of Sandwich to the Earl of Rochford. |
|
Sends a copy of a letter lately received from Morlaix.—Admiralty. |
|
The enclosure, dated 3 Sept., contains information relative to
the summer practice of the marine at Brest, the sailing of the
armament to St. Domingo, the bad payment of the dockmen at
Brest, the arrears owing to the Acadians who used to be paid
regularly every month, and the abundant harvest, "which compensates the taxes as heavy as in war." 2½pp. |
17 Sept. Treas. and Cust., v. 3, 1763–75, No. 33. |
291. Ph. Stephens to William Eden, Esq. |
|
As to the seamen assembling on Tower Hill. H.M.'s cutters
"Meredith" and "Wells" have been ordered to Deptford.—Admiralty Office. 1 p. |
20 Sept. Dom. Geo. III., v. 12, No. 47. |
292. The Same to John Pownall, Esq. |
|
The "Rainbow" at Portsmouth and "Weazle" sloop at Plymouth
are under orders to be refitted for a voyage to the coast of Africa.
It is hoped they will be ready to sail next month at farthest.—Admiralty. 1 p. |
23 Sept. Dom. Geo. III., v. 13, No. 32. Dom. Entry Bk., "Dom. despatched," 1771–6, p. 114. |
293. William Knox to Sir Stanier Porten. |
|
Sending, for the Earl of Rochford's information, a copy of a
petition of the inhabitants of Tortola, the original of which has
been laid before His Majesty.—Whitehall. A draft. 1 p. |
23 Sept. Dom. Geo. III., v. 13. No. 61 a, b. Let. Bk., Sec.'s, 1771–5, p. 157. |
294. R. Cholmondeley, Auditor General, to Lord Dartmouth. |
|
Transmits an extract from a letter from his Deputy in South
Carolina relative to a proclamation of the late Governor respecting
some lands that, by the running of the boundary line between
that province and North Carolina, have become situated in South
Carolina, though they were before within the government and
limits of North. Wishes that a letter from his Lordship should
be written, directing a suspension of that proclamation for six
months longer, in which time his Lordship may consider what
further steps to take. If this is not done, is confident, from the
knowledge he has of the poople and their disposition, that it will
be productive of confusion and bloodshed, and may give rise to
a new set of regulators similar to those who so lately disturbed
the peace of the sister Colony. If they pay their quit-rents and
taxes, and perform the conditions of the North Carolina grants,
is sure it is far from His Majesty's goodness to wish to burden
his people with unnecessary trouble and expences.—Auditor's
Office. |
|
The enclosure.—The Deputy Auditor writes, "Since the
boundary line was continued and finished between No. and
So. Carolina, many thousand of acres have been run out and
passed into grants to sundry persons who have not any right,
by His Majesty's instructions, to 500 acres, (not to cultivate)
but to sell at a future day to the necessitous. These lands
ought to have been reserved for new setters, and not for the
rich. Lord Charles, our Governor, has been very partial in
regard to giving warrants for land to people that have no right.
He has likewise issued out his proclamation, and some orders
in Council, that all persons who hold lands under grants from
the several Governors of N. Carolina, many of whom have been
settled many years before the boundary line was ascertained,
must come and take new grants by the first of January next
from this Government; and by the Order of Council, Mr. James
Simpson, who is clerk of the Council, is to be sole judge,
whether the No. grant is good or not. The poor people are
all alarmed at this, and positively say they will not deliver
up these old grants and take new, nor will they suffer any
surveyor or other persons to survey and take their lands from
them as long as they duly pay their quit-rents and taxes, and
have their land docqueted in the Auditor General's Office, that
His Majesty may know where to get his rents for the future,
for he requires no more. This proclamation and order of
Council appears to me of so extraordinary a proceeding that I
have told all the people that their North grants are better than
any new Lord Charles can give, if they comply with the conditions, which many have done years ago, and the rest are
desirous to do so as soon as this affair is settled, and they have
an opportunity to come to Charlestown." 5½pp. |
24 Sept. Ireland, v. 446, No. 77. Entry Bk., 1770–5, p, 209. |
295. Earl of Rochford to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. |
|
Signifying His Majesty's compliance with the request of the
Officers of the 42nd or Royal Highland Regiment as to the method
of wearing their sashes.—St. James's. A draft. 1½pp. |
25 Sept. Ireland, v. 446, No. 78. Entry Bk., 1770–5, p. 209. |
296. The Same to the Same. |
|
Calling attention to certain officers absent without leave from
certain regiments in Ireland, observed by the King on sight of
the returns of H.M.'s Army in Ireland for last month. Also as to
the recruiting of the 48th Regiment.—St. James's. A draft. 2 pp. |
29 Sept. Dom. Geo. III., v. 10, No. 45 a, b. |
297. Mr. Georges to Mr. Pownall. |
|
Enclosing a translation of the Treaty settled in 1765 between
Spain and Denmark for the mutual restitution of the fugitive
slaves from their colonies in America, which may be of some use
in pointing out the measures requisite to the accomplishment of
the like settlement in behalf of the British planters in that part
of the world. The free exercise of the Catholic religion to negroes
professing the same is a concession to be made by his Britannic
Majesty, which appears to be attended with some difficulty and
inconvenience, but which he, Mr. Georges, hopes may be no
impediment to so salutary and necessary a treaty with Spain.—Welbeck Street. |
|
The enclosure. 4½pp. |
29 Sept. Dom. Entry Bk., v. 25, p. 388. |
298. Receipt, signed by the Earl of Rochford, for the quarterly
allowance from the Post Office to the clerks of his office. |
29 Sept. Ireland, v. 446, No. 81. |
299. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Harcourt) to Lord
Rochford. |
|
Relative to an affair as to which I am utterly at a loss how to
determine upon the part I ought to take; viz., the court-martial
on Lieut. Broom of the 5th Regiment of Dragoons. During the
course of the proceedings very particular application was made to
me to dismiss the court-martial, the parties having agreed upon
the differences that had arisen between them. But upon consideration there appeared to me such a variety of aggravated
circumstances to the crimes of which Lieut. Broom was accused,
done, as may be said, in the face of the army, and not done away
by anything which was urged in his defence, that I could not
think myself justified in adopting the opinion of the Court,
expressing their adjudication upon it; "and your Lordship, whose
humanity will lead you into the feelings a man must have who
feels himself bound, instead of mercy, the becoming attribute of
my situation, to distribute or recommend the severest justice,
will suppose that I could be impelled by no other motive than
my duty to the King, and the necessity I saw of making some
example, to order the Court to reassemble to revise their inadequate sentence." The Court accordingly in the instrument
of their revision did so far change in their opinion as to pronounce
Lieut. Broom worthy of being cashiered; but it is noticeable that
it is their opinion only, and that the legal words expressive of
their judgment are totally omitted; that in their former sentence,
where he was only reprimanded and temporarily suspended, he
was declared guilty of the breach of such and such articles, and
judgment definitively pronounced thereupon; but in the case where
he was to be deprived of his bread and honours, he is found
guilty of nothing, nor is any sentence but by an implication of
their opinions pronounced upon him. Referred to the AttorneyGeneral the question whether I was authorised by law to give
that confirmation to their opinion which the unmilitary conduct
of this young gentleman has so justly brought upon himself.
His report will show that my apprehensions were not misgrounded. I would submit this extraordinary matter for His
Majesty's consideration, and in the meantime I have ordered the
court-martial to adjourn for a fortnight.—Dublin Castle. Received,
5 Oct. at night, from Sir R. Wilmot. 5½pp. |
30 Sept. Ireland, v. 446, No. 82. |
300. The Same to the Same. |
|
Several of the principal gentlemen who are usually considered
as H.M.'s confidential servants, being still in the country, on
the circuit or upon other affairs, I have not been able to communicate to them all the result of the business upon which
Col. Blaquiere was sent to England. But those to whom I have
imparted His Majesty's determination of reuniting the Boards of
Revenue appear so well satisfied with it that I have almost
ventured to promise myself that great advantages may be expected
from this concession for the furtherance of H.M.'s service, &c.
Shall endeavour to turn to every possible use this measure, which
I have been obliged to press as absolutely necessary, and without
which I had great doubts of the possibility of carrying on any
government at all. Could wish to have been able to submit to
the consideration of H.M.'s servants in England my first speech
from the Throne, which I am now preparing with my Lord
Chancellor. But in the variety of matter to be discussed there
will be so many points to arrange, probably occasioning alterations
at the last moment, that in truth it appears both improper and
impracticable.—Dublin Castle. Received 7 Oct. 3 pp. |